Listening to a man speak about his football coach, business mentor, work colleague or teacher, someone they looked up to and respected, many would expect to hear compelling insights about tactics to beat the opposition or perhaps strategies to improve sales.
These stories are there of course, but what came to mind first for the men at Wednesday’s International Men’s Day Yarn Up at The Glen were the life lessons their role models had shared with them. The lessons were about how to treat others or how to respect someone with a different perspective and important lessons about how to learn from your mistakes. Lessons that last much longer than how to score a try or seal a business deal.
Men Care Too was proud to be involved in a number of events to mark International Men’s Day on November 19 which started with a BBQ and community event hosted by Woodville Alliance at Flinders Slopes, Lansdowne. Between 40-50 men and women, including many young men, enjoyed a sausage sandwich and activities such as drumming, sport and art. There was a discussion about what International Men’s Day was all about and the most pleasing part was that the young men involved in the day were learning about issues that affect men of all ages.
Special thanks to Dimitrios and the staff at Woodville Alliance for organising the event and to Don for volunteering his time to help out on the BBQ. See below for a few photos from the event.
In Newcastle, Men’s Health Services hosted a ‘Man Quiz’ with more than 70 men and women taking part in the event. The questions were focused on men’s health issues which got everyone talking about a wide range of topics including prostate cancer, life expectancy, Men’s Sheds and male suicide rates.
Part of the event included presentations of the Hunter New England Men’s Health Champion Awards, recognising the dedication of services and individuals promoting good physical and mental health of males in the Hunter region. Well done to all recipients and nominees.
It was inspiring to see so many people come together for this event, tables full of people from Newcastle City Council, Hunter New England Health, Men’s Shed and many more. All there to share a meal, a drink, take part in the trivia and ultimately celebrate International Men’s Day.
Men Care Too was the unofficial official photographer for the event and was proud to capture the shots featured below.
On Wednesday, over 200 people attended the Men’s Day Yarn Up held at The Glen Centre, Chittaway Point, where ‘Positive Male Role Models’ was the focus. Attendees were treated to a BBQ lunch and had an opportunity to collect information about local services from a variety of information stalls which included RUOK?, TAFE NSW, Mr Perfect, Lifeline and many more.
Guests were invited to take part in a cleansing smoking ceremony followed by a celebratory welcome dance which was performed by The Glen dancers to welcome everyone to the yarn up. Over the next couple of hours, men from all different walks of life spoke from the heart about their own challenges, triumphs and inspiration to be good men and better role models for their family and community. The speakers were successful businessmen, sporting legends and community leaders along with men who had been through The Glen’s program - working hard everyday to stay clean and sober, living a life that would not have been possible without the healing support of The Glen.
Listening to these men speak was inspiring. There was no bravado, no ego and no need to impress anyone, each of the men shared a little of themselves, their fears and their struggles. It was real talk and something we men need the opportunity to do more often.
Media coverage from NBN News Central Coast -